By Phillip Whitten
MAR DE PLATA, Argentina, Dec. 11. THE Third International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Disability Swimming Championships are underway here in a beautiful 50-meter pool in the scenic city of Mar del Plata in Argentina –about as far south as you can go before your main aquatic competition consists of penguins.
American swimmers have already won three events and four American disability records have been set.
Swimming in the S8 division, Travis Mohr won the 100 meter backstroke in an American record 1:10.62 (see photo). He also set an American record in finishing seventh in 1:06.74 in the 100m freestyle.
Jennifer Johnson of San Diego and the irrepresible Curtis Lovejoy were the other two Americans to win gold. Johnson took first in the women's 50m free in S1, while Lovejoy won the same event for men in the S2 class.
Michaila Rutherford of Alameda, Calif., took third in the 100m fly for women in the S11 group.
Listed below are Americans who have placed in the top eight in their disability classifications thus far in the meet:
Top 8 Finishers:
1st Travis Mohr – 100 Back Class S8 AMERICAN RECORD – 1:10.62
1st Jennifer Johnson – 50 Free Class S1
1st Curtis Lovejoy – 50 Free Class S2
3rd Mikhaila Rutherford – 100 Fly Class S 11
4th Kelly Crowley – 100 Fly Class S 9
5th Katy Chandler – 100 Fly Class S 9
5th Omar Merheb – 50 Free Class S1
5th Cheryl Angelelli – 50 Free Class S4
5th Joe McCarthy – 50 Free Class S4
AMERICAN RECORD PRELIMS 40.99
6th Sarah Castle – 100 Back S8
6th Mandy Sommer – 100 Free S11
7th Jennifer Butcher – 200 IM SM13
7th Travis Mohr – 100 Free S8 AMERICAN RECORD 1:06.74
7th Lantz Lamback – 100 Back S7
7th Aimee Bruder – 50 Free S4
8th Justin Zook – 100 Fly S10
AMERICAN RECORD 1:06.03
Preliminary American Record –
Mike DeMarco 1:05.07 50 Free S3
American Relays
5th 34 Point Relay Womens 400 Free Relay
Kelley Crowley, Sarah Castle, Erin Popovich, Mikhaila Rutherford
6th 34 Point Relay Mens 400 Free Relay
Michael Prout, Travis Mohr, Lantz Lamback, Justin Zook